Probitas:Tales of Innocence

[Kakashi Hatake]

Probitas watched with apprehension as the opposing beasts snarled and postured, each glaring with malice at the other as they called to the artificial sky. It didn’t take a zoologist to deduce what the proud alphas were attempting, though the calls to their respective kin would go unanswered. Something told the son of Retane that, along with the aggression Asuma had mentioned, this was not new behavior; the rivals sought desperately to call their packs to their side, yet their wish was never granted.

“Stay back, Probitas,” Asuma warned sternly, pressing an outstretched arm against the youth’s chest as he eyed the aggressors closely. “This might get ugly.”

“Asuma-sensei,” the young Namekian said, again locking eyes with the scarred wolf. The pain behind the canine’s eyes spoke of more than simple anger. “I don’t think they want to be here…”

“I agree,” the bearded shinobi replied, not taking his eyes off of the glowering beasts. “That look they have...it’s more fear and frustration than rage. They’re proud beast, they don’t deserve to be caged…” he trailed off, clenching his teeth as if to stop his wagging tongue.

Probitas nodded. He knew that although some, like he and Asuma, may fully understand the plight of the raptors and the wolves, others would see it a different way. The village was under constant threat of war; having domesticated raptors and wolves to defend the borders would surely bring some measure of peace from the incessant attacks from orc-kind. Still, even the fledgling warrior could see that this was a pipedream. Keeping the beasts caged would in the end grant the village precisely the opposite of their desire.

“Alright, men,” a familiar voice commanded. Garoki emerged from the small huddle between the aggressing alphas. “We have our orders. Protect the civilians and secure the beasts!”

Garoki’s squadron nodded dutifully, the shinobi breaking quickly into formation. The half-dozen combatants squared off against the snarling animals, a trio facing each beast. Each man reached to his belt in unison and drew a scroll, unfurling it and allowing it to drop to the ground. The shinobi moved as one, rapidly forming seals before slamming their palms down on their respective scrolls. Intricate glyphs wound across the uneven earth, extending from the point of contact. “Summoning Jutsu!” the group cried as they were enveloped in smoke.

Probitas watched as a company of noble beasts appeared seemingly from mid air, each standing sentinel between their summoner and their aggressor. The Namekian could make out panthers, lions and a medium-sized bear among other unnamable creatures. Each stood with militant focus, prepared to protect the people of the R&O no matter the cost. For a moment the air in the facility stood still as the various beasts locked eyes with the warring alphas. The son of Retane found himself transfixed with wonder and anxiety in equal proportions.

Before a single beast could move to strike, there was a sudden clamor from behind the youthful Namekian. The sound of splintering wood and breaking glass drew the attention of mixed shinobi and civilians toward the main entrance, their summons remaining dutifully watchful of the aggressing pair. Probitas felt it before he saw it: a familiar energy signature.

“Wha-” Garoki wondered aloud, staring blankly at the door. The source of the commotion was nowhere to be seen, though two alone among the gathered knew who had arrived.

“Asuma-” the Horsemen ambassador muttered, feeling the energy draw closer. The shinobi only nodded in response.

All at once the intruder appeared among the shinobi, mere feet from Garoki and his men. He stood motionless and silent, a towering figure wrapped in a dark cloak. The hooded garment completely obscured the newcomer’s features, leaving the interloper completely unidentifiable. Silence settled over the group for a beat, no one daring to move.

“Who are you?!” One of the gathered ninja inquired, the man’s panther turning to leer at the cloaked figure as his master drew a blade.

Probitas could only stare in awe at the shadowy figure, held back by his sensei’s firm grip. Though he had only felt this energy once before, it was unmistakable. The man that stood before him was, without a doubt, his father.

The cloaked intruder did not move a muscle despite the soldier’s aggression. For a long moment he stood, seemingly frozen in place. Probitas stared unblinkingly at the spectacle, straining every sense that he might confirm his suspicions. In the back of his mind he could hear the faintest whisper: “Freedom...follow…"

“I’ll ask once more, who are you?” The armed shinobi inquired indignantly. He held his blade aloft, pointing directly at the intruder.

As if in response to the line of questioning, the air in the vicinity began to stir. Before any could remark about the sudden disturbance within the facility, the wind coalesced into a vortex, kicking up plumes of debris as it swirled chaotically. The gathered forces covered their faces, choking on the sandy storm. As Probitas struggled to keep the grit from invading his airway, he felt the energy signature suddenly disappear entirely. Seconds later, so too did the vortex and with it the raptor and the wolf.

As the civilians muttered among themselves, cleaning debris from their clothing and wondering aloud what had transpired, Asuma cast a glance down at his student. The tiniest smirk played at the corner of his lips as he lit a cigarette. “That takes care of that.”